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Free Applications to Enhance ProfessionalDevelopment, Technical Assistance,and Dissemination (and a few others that are just plain fun)

Presented by Larry Edelman, University of Colorado Denverlarry.edelman@ucdenver.edu

Goals of the Session

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At times we need to use robust (and expensive) applications to support professional development activities, but sometimes free applications are all we need. This session will illustrate free apps that help us create content share knowledge; build and maintain relationships; and facilitate engagement, participation, and collaboration.

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Why use technology fortechnical assistance,

professional development,and dissemination?

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Shareknowledg

e

Build and support

relationships

Createcontent

Faster

Moreeffectively

Moreeconomically

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Focus first on function.Then on the technology.

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What do you want to with technology?

Conduct needs assessment/front end analysis

Present professional development events

Provide TA, consultation, coaching, mentoring

Disseminate news, updates, documents

Host/facilitate meetings, conferences

Facilitate collaborative processes

Build and strengthen relationships

Evaluate activities and programs

Facilitate social learning

Exchange information with others

Enhance service delivery

Conduct research

Manage projects

Manage data (including collection, analysis, reporting)

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Why use free applications?

Why pay more? Sometimes, free apps are all we

need.

Deliver more information, more effectively, more quickly, to more

people, than conventional

methods.

Model and encourage

technologies that are accessible to

providers and programs.

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Why might some companies and individuals offer free applications?

■ To encourage use so they can identify and fix bugs. ■ To offer a limited-function “lite” version to induce users to

migrate to an enhanced pay-for version. ■ To offer a trial version.■ To generate revenue through ads or plug-ins.■ To gain market share before switching to fee-based terms.■ To generate interest in other products.■ To offer a “loss-leader.”■ To change the world.

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Rules of thumb for using free apps

■ You need to try them out and judge what is good enough for your purposes. You might need to purchase something more robust.

■ Not all programs work on all platforms.

■ Applications are continually updated and published all the time.

■ Downloading programs carries the risk of an unwanted cookie, malware, or virus; use virus and spyware protection and update them frequently.

■ Your IT department and help desk specialists are essential resources for you. Treat them nice. Buy them gifts.

■ If you are denied access to an app, write up a sound business plan. If you are still denied, find someone else to appeal to.

■ Many apps do more than one thing.

■ Free apps come and go.

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Examples of…One-Way

Asynchronous Communication

Two-WaySynchronous

Communication

AsynchronousSynergistic

CommunicationText document Text-based chat Online survey

Podcast Telephone conferencing Content management system

Webcast Video conferencing Community of practice

Video, vidcast Webinar, web conference Virtual learning environment

Media sharing sites Online meetings spaces Bulletin board, news groupMobile-phone Mobile-phone Mobile-phoneArchived class, lecture Chats, threads, list servesRapid e-learning modules Blog, micro-blog, vlog Just-in-time EPSS Wiki

Resource repositories Social bookmarking

Knowledge bases Social networkShared applications

User’s groups/forums

Then focus on technology

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Shifts in my thinkingSupporting Performance

providing PD and TA supporting performance

knowledge based (what was) problem-based (what is)

preparation just-in-time

expert-facilitated learner (performer)-directed

instruction navigation

comprehensive curriculum pliable learning objectsProducts

proprietary open contentunique modular

Strategiessummative evaluation frequent data collection

long-term development rapid productionuse what I know learn new skills

“best” strategy integrating applications

IT as limiting IT as enabling

ideas execution

You might need some hardware (not free)

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Sanyo xacti CG10 Flip Video Zoom Q3

Zoom H2 Logitech QuickCam ProLexar 16GB

Secure II Plus JumpDrive

Video

Audio and Mic Webcam Storage

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What free apps might we explore?

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Ways to approach learning about new media

Examine and ADJUST your job description – frequently

Recognize yourself as a lifelong learner and COMMIT to learning about technology intentionally, not just serendipitously

DEDICATE enough time to learning about new technology – it’s not a distraction, it’s an essential part of our jobs; It’s unlikely you’ll find more time – reallocate how you spend it

Stay focused on UTILITY and INTEREST – you don’t have to learn about everything

Just DO something: be constructivist, take risks, apply it to your personal life, try to create something before you really know how, have funThink BUSINESS model: create a mock-up, develop a proof of concept, pilot, get feedback, collect data, measure the impact

Become an INTENTIONAL learner

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To download a copy of the 23-page “Free Applications” resource visit ExploringTech:

http://exploringtech.wordpress.com/